CHRIS PATERSON, Scotland's only rugby centurion, believes the Scottish players should be inspired rather than intimidated by the atmosphere at Twickenham on Saturday.
Paterson won 109 caps and scored 809 points for Scotland - both are records - and played six times at Twickenham over the course of his 12-year international career. Yet while he never won there, he said he always felt lifted by the atmosphere.
"I was aware of the reputation it had because people often say it's not a nice place to go or play," said Paterson, who retired from Test rugby after the last World Cup. "But my reaction to that is that it shouldn't be nice. Any team wants to make use of home advantage, and England do that.
"But I really enjoyed playing there. I was almost inspired by the walk through the car park to get to the changing room. You got a few shouts, of course, but there was a lot of support as well.
"I enjoyed the theatre of it all. I got a real feeling that this was an opportunity to represent my country in the heat of battle, and I would use that. I loved playing there. I loved the challenge."
Scotland have won just twice at Twickenham since the second world war. The first of those was in 1971, when his uncle Duncan scored a try and a dropped goal, the second being in 1983. Paterson played against some of England's strongest-ever sides and admires their team of today, but he still thinks Scotland have a chance of ending the 32-year win drought.
Paterson said: "They are going into this game off the back of a defeat and they may be a little more conservative. You shouldn't forget that there is pressure on the home team in a game like this, especially after a defeat."
"From our point of view, I think Scotland must continue to do what they are doing in a lot of areas. They just have to do it more accurately. I think how they are trying to play does suit Scotland, and is good for Scotland, but they will know themselves that they have to be more precise and put teams under pressure.
"There will be a determining moment, perhaps just a second or two, and it could happen at any time. They have to be focused and recognise it when it arrives. And make the most of it."
Chris Paterson is a Royal Bank RugbyForce ambassador.
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